"They don't really start to ripen until the first frost," said Bob Deal. Deal is pictured standing among his flock of flamingos on his lawn in Poverty Flats south of Seeley Lake. He started out with two as a gift and the flock continues to grow. "I have no idea where they came from," said Deal who likes the mystery.
Flamingos aren't the only thing that flies in. This Flamingo Crossing sign just popped up like a mushroom one day.
SEELEY LAKE – Bob Deal's lawn in Poverty Flats south of Seeley Lake on Montana Highway 83 has become the hot spot for flamingos in the past couple of years. What started out as a gift of two plastic flamingos has grown to a flock of 19 various colored flamingos and two that flew the coop. Deal's sole purpose for maintaining his flock is for fun.
When Deal was young, he enjoyed the lawn jockeys that used to adorn people's yards.
Following the lawn jockeys, garden gnomes grew in popularity. Deal never cared for the gnomes but liked the flamingos.
"They take me back to my childhood, back when cars had fins," said Deal. "I think the word is kitsch, a retro cheapness."
Deal's sister gave him his first flamingo that he proudly displayed in his yard calling it "a bit of 1960s yard art." After the dog decapitated it, he took it down.
Two Christmases ago Deal came home to two flamingos stuck in the snow outside his door. Jane Collins and Kathy Brown had signed the note attached to the flamingos.
The next spring, Deal added two black zombie flamingos that have red eyes and fangs. He also purchased the pink ones to complete his flock.
"All the pink ones were bought, either by [me] or my friends. All the colored ones just kind of moved in. I have no idea where they came from. I have a list of suspects but I don't know for sure. I like the mystery of it," said Deal who now has a flock of 19 various colored flamingos decorating his lawn.
Deal received one flamingo stuck to his vehicle with a magnet after having it at Clearwater Towing.
"Bob [Skiles] was pretty pleased with himself. He even told me how he built it. He was grinning like a thief," said Deal.
One fan, who wished to remain anonymous, said every time she and her family drive past Deal's home, they count the flamingos to see if any new ones have flown in.
This past summer two of the pink flamingos flew away, leaving only their legs.
"I don't know what happened," said Deal. "For all I know momma grizzly down here with her three cubs took them for toys for her kids."
"Mostly it is just a fun thing to do and I like it. A lot of people do so I keep it up," said Deal.
Every time Deal mows, he moves the flamingos around into a different configuration. When the snow flies the flamingos head for warmer temperatures, cooping up in Deal's garage for the winter. They return for travelers to enjoy every spring.
"I hope they put a smile on people's face and give them something to think about as they drive into town," said Deal.
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